But the Tigers were more surprised than the Lions by the events leading up to the first Test starting at Lord's on May 26.

The Bangladesh think-tank drafted 16-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim in the team from outside the 20 probables as cover for inseparable wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud, who has rarely missed a match since making his debut in 1995.

But after featuring in two warm-up matches the young lad from Bogra has forced the team management to think of awarding him a Test cap purely as a batsman.

His two innings under pressure -- half-century in the second match against Sussex followed by a flawless hundred in the drawn three-day fixture with Northamptonshire were beyond the imagination of not only chief selector Faruque Ahmed but also for the rest of the members of the team.

"I've not seen his fifty against Sussex but I was there when he scored his hundred at Northamp-ton. It was a superb innings and except for one or two false strokes he played after completing his century he batted with ease," Faruque said while talking to this reporter at the lobby of Marriott Hotel on Monday afternoon.

"I was also amazed at his laidback approach. He batted like one of those batsmen trying to give the impression that he was not going to get out any time playing a fancy shot," said the chief selector about a young man with a matured shoulder.

Faruque admitted that Mush-fiur's performances in the practice matches gave them ample food for thought before finalising the squad for the first Test.

It is true that batting against average county bowlers and the likes of Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison or a giant Andrew Flintoff is completely a different ball game, but the chief selector wanted to look at the maturity and solidity that Mushfiqur showed.

"He may be too young for anybody's comfort to be thrown against the big boys. But you can not deny his effort when the other established batsmen in the team have failed," said Faruque.

It was not Faruque alone who showered praise for the BKSP student.

"I've seen him from the non-striker's end and he played brilliantly. He even told me not to hit the ball hard and it worked well for me," said left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who scored a half-century against

Northamptonshire.

Mushfiqur's Under-19 captain and opener Nafees Iqbal also termed his innings 'simply beautiful'.

"He played both his innings under pressure. But I think his hundred was simply outstanding."

But Mushfiqur got the best complement from his idol Mashud.

"I like the way he batting both against Sussex and Northamp-tonshire. But what I liked most was his down to earth attitude. I have seen some young players coming into the team with a lot of promise but then they failed to keep the standard. He is consistent and always tries to improve and is working very hard. Moreover, he is nonchalant about what is happing around him."